Image processing apparatus with function for specifying image quality, and method and storage medium

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus to be employed at an imaging device. An image acquisition section acquires data of an image. An input operation receiving section receives an operation for selection of an image region of the image data acquired by the image acquisition section. An image quality processing choosing section chooses image quality processing to be applied to the image data acquired by the image acquisition section in accordance with the image region received by the input operation receiving section. An image quality processing information presentation section presents information relating to the image quality processing chosen by the image quality processing decision section.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromthe prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-061417, filed Mar. 18,2011, and the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a technology for specifying imagequality.

2. Related Art

In recent years, consequent to imaging conditions and/or imageprocessing conditions being specified, digital cameras may captureimages with the specified imaging conditions and may process images withthe specified image processing conditions. In light of the difficultiesof specifying imaging conditions and image processing conditions,digital cameras are known that automatically specify imaging conditionsand/or image processing conditions in accordance with the surroundingenvironment during imaging and suchlike.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An image processing apparatus relating to a first aspect of the presentinvention includes:

-   -   an acquiring unit that acquires data of an image;    -   a receiving unit that receives an operation of selection of a        region of the image acquired by the acquiring unit;    -   an image quality processing choosing unit that, in accordance        with the image at the region selected by the selection        operation, chooses image quality processing to be applied to the        image data acquired by the acquiring unit; and    -   a presenting unit that presents information relating to the        image quality processing chosen by the image quality processing        choosing unit.

An image processing method relating to a second aspect of the presentinvention is

-   -   an image processing method to be executed by an image processing        apparatus that acquires an image, the method including:    -   acquiring data of the image;    -   receiving an operation of selection of a region of the acquired        image data;    -   choosing, in accordance with the image at the region selected by        the selection operation, image quality processing to be applied        to the acquired image data; and    -   presenting information relating to the image quality processing.

A computer readable storage medium relating to a third aspect of thepresent invention has stored therein a program executable by a computerthat controls an image processing apparatus that acquires an image,causing the computer to realize functions of:

-   -   acquiring data of the image;    -   receiving an operation of selection of a region of the acquired        image data;    -   choosing, in accordance with the image at the region selected by        the selection operation, image quality processing to be applied        to the acquired image data; and    -   presenting information relating to the image quality processing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A deeper understanding of the present application will be attained whenthe detailed descriptions hereinafter are viewed together with thefollowing drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating hardware structure of an imagingdevice 1;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating, of functional structures of theimaging device 1, a functional structure for implementing imagingprocessing;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a reference table memorized in a ROM ofthe imaging device 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing a flow of imaging processing;

FIG. 5 is an example of a live preview image displayed at the start ofimaging processing;

FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C are an example of a live preview image displayedduring imaging processing in a case in which an imaging environment is“person+backlighting, etc”;

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are an example of a live preview image displayedduring imaging processing in a case in which the imaging environment is“person+backlighting, etc”;

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are an example of a live preview image displayedduring imaging processing in a case in which the imaging environment is“person+backlighting, etc”;

FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C are an example of a live preview image displayedduring image processing in a case in which the imaging environment is“night scene+person”; and

FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C are an example of a live preview image displayedduring imaging processing in a case in which the imaging environment is“person”.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Herebelow, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is describedin detail with reference to the attached drawings.

An image processing apparatus relating to the exemplary embodiment ofthe invention is described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustratinghardware structure of the imaging device 1. The imaging device 1 isconfigured as, as an example, a digital camera.

The imaging device 1 is provided with a central processing unit (CPU)11, a read-only memory (ROM) 12, a random access memory (RAM) 13, animage processing section 14, a bus 15, an input/output interface 16, animaging section 17, an input section 18, an output section 19, a memorysection 20, an angular speed sensor 21, a communications section 22 anda media drive 23.

The CPU 11 executes various kinds of processing in accordance withprograms stored in the ROM 12 and/or programs loaded into the RAM 13from the memory section 20.

The RAM 13 memorizes data required for the execution of the variouskinds of processing by the CPU 11 and suchlike as appropriate.

The image processing section 14 is constituted by a digital signalprocessor (DSP) and a video random access memory (VRAM) or the like, andworks together with the CPU 11 to apply various kinds of imageprocessing to data of images. For example, the image processing section14 applies, to image data outputted from the imaging section 17, variouskinds of image processing, such as noise reduction, white balanceadjustment, blur correction and the like, on the basis of imageprocessing information specified by an image quality processinginformation setting section 49 of FIG. 2, which is described below.

The bus 15 connects the CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the imageprocessing section 14 and the input/output interface 16 to one another.The imaging section 17, the input section 18, the output section 19, thememory section 20, the angular speed sensor 21, the communicationssection 22 and the media drive 23 are connected to the input/outputinterface 16.

The imaging section 17 is equipped with an unillustrated optical lensunit, which includes a focusing lens, a zoom lens and the like, and animage sensor.

The optical lens unit is formed with different kinds of lenses, such asthe focusing lens and the zoom lens or the like. The focusing lens is alens that focuses a subject image on a light detection face of an imagesensor. The zoom lens is a lens that arbitrarily alters the focusingdistance through a certain range. As required, the optical lens unit isalso provided with peripheral circuits for adjusting specifiedparameters such as focusing point, exposure, white balance and so forth.

The image sensor is structured with an optoelectronic conversion device,an analog front end (AFE) and the like. The optoelectronic conversiondevice is constituted of, for example, a CMOS (complementary metal oxidesemiconductor) device and the like, and optoelectronically convertsincident light that enters through the optical lens unit. That is, theoptoelectronic conversion device optoelectronically converts (captures)a subject image and accumulates image signals for a predeterminedduration, and sequentially provides the accumulated image signals to theAFE as analog signals. The AFE applies various kind of signal processingto the analog image signals, such as analog-to-digital (A/D) conversionprocessing and the like. The digital signals generated by the signalprocessing are outputted as output signals from the imaging section 17.The output signals from the imaging section 17 are referred tohereinafter as “image data”. Data of the captured images is provided tothe CPU 11 as appropriate.

This imaging section 17 is controlled by an imaging control section 51,which is described herebelow with reference to FIG. 2. The imagingcontrol section 51 specifies, for example, various imaging conditions ofthe imaging section 17. For example, as one of the imaging conditions,the imaging control section 51 specifies a zoom ratio and controls anunillustrated lens driving unit to drive the zoom lens to the specifiedzoom ratio.

The input section 18 is structured with various buttons, such as a powersupply button, a shutter release button and the like, and a touch panel.The input section 18 inputs various kinds of information in accordancewith instruction operations by a user.

The structure and type of the touch panel are not particularly limited;a resistive film-type or static capacitance-type touch panel or the likecan be employed. A resistive film-type touch panel is formed byoverlaying, in parallel on a display screen of a display of the outputsection 19, a soft surface layer such as polyethylene terephthalate(PET) and a liquid crystal glass layer therebeneath. Respectivetransparent conductive films are applied to inner sides of the twolayers, and are electrically insulated by transparent spacerstherebetween. Respective conductive bodies are arranged at the surfacelayer and the glass layer. When the display screen is touched with apointing object such as a finger or a stylus pen (hereinafter, this isreferred to as a screen touch operation), the surface layer inflects inaccordance with stress from the pointing object, and the surface layerand the glass layer are put into a conductive state locally. At thistime, electrical resistance values, potentials or the like vary inaccordance with the touching position of the pointing object. The CPU 11detects the coordinates of the touching position of the pointing objecton the basis of these variations in electrical resistance values,potentials or the like.

The output section 19 is structured with the display and a speaker orthe like, and outputs images and sound or the like.

The memory section 20 is structured with a hard disc, a dynamic randomaccess memory (DRAM) or the like, and memorizes data of various images.

The angular speed sensor 21 detects movements of the imaging device 1and outputs movement detection signals representing angular speeds (blursignals) to the CPU 11. More specifically, the angular speed sensor 21outputs the movement detection signals to the imaging control section 51of the below-described FIG. 2. For example, by analyzing the blursignals, the imaging control section 51 may determine whether or not asupplementary condition, in regard to the imaging device 1 imaging whilemounted on a tripod (not shown), is satisfied. The meaning of the term“supplementary condition” as used herein includes conditions that arenot directly categorized as imaging conditions or as image processingconditions but that have some effect on the results of imagingoperations by the imaging section 17, image processing by the imageprocessing section 14 and the like. The supplementary conditions includearbitrary numbers and arbitrary types of conditions. That is to say, thecondition of whether the imaging device 1 is imaging while not mountedon a tripod (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as “no tripod” imaging)is merely an illustrative example of a supplementary condition.

Specifically, if it is determined that the detected blur signals aresmaller than a threshold value, the imaging control section 51determines that the imaging device 1 is mounted on a tripod. On theother hand, if the imaging control section 51 determines that thedetected blur signals are larger than the threshold value, the imagingcontrol section 51 determines that the imaging device 1 is not mountedon a tripod but is imaging while being held by hand.

The imaging control section 51 may calculate correction amounts anddrive the image sensor with an actuator provided at the imaging section17 in accordance with the blur signals detected by the angular speedsensor 21. In this case, the actuator drives the image sensor indirections orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical lens unit inaccordance with correction amounts from the imaging control section 51.

The communications section 22 controls communications with other devices(not shown) via networks, including the Internet.

A removable medium 31, which is constituted with a magnetic disc, anoptical disc, a magneto-optical disc, a semiconductor memory or thelike, is loaded in the media drive 23. As required, programs read fromthe removable medium 31 by the media drive 23 are installed in thememory section 20. The removable medium 31 may also, similarly to thememory section 20, memorize various kinds of data such as image datathat has been memorized in the memory section 20 and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating, of functional structure of theimaging device 1, a functional structure for implementing imagingprocessing.

The term “imaging processing” as used herein, rather than referring toordinary imaging processing, includes the following sequence ofprocessing. In accordance with a screen touch operation by a user, theimaging device 1 chooses one or more display objects from informationrelating to the specification of image quality processes (hereinafterreferred to as image quality processing information), and displays theone or more display objects on the display of the output section 19. Theterm “image quality processing” as used herein is intended to include,in processing by the imaging device 1 that is executed from capture tostorage of an image, processes that affect image quality of the image.Control processing that is applied to the imaging section 17 before orduring capture of an image and image processing that is applied tocaptured image data that is outputted from the imaging section 17 areemployed herein as an example of image quality processing. The userperforms a screen touch operation on, of the one or more items of imagequality processing information displayed thus, an item of image qualityprocessing information (a region within the screen at which thatinformation is displayed) that the user wishes to set. In response, theimaging device 1 sets the image quality processing information to whichthe screen touch operation has been applied as setting information.Hence, the imaging device 1 executes image quality processing inaccordance with the specified setting information.

When imaging processing is being executed, the CPU 11 functions as animage acquisition section 41, a region type identification section 42,an input operation receiving section 43, a selected region choosingsection 44, an imaging condition determination section 45, an imagequality processing choosing section 46, an image quality processinginformation presentation section 47, a display control section 48 and animage quality processing information setting section 49. The CPU 11 alsofunctions as the imaging control section 51 for controlling the imagingsection 17.

The image acquisition section 41 acquires captured image data outputtedfrom the imaging section 17 to serve as data of a live preview image.That is, the CPU 11 and the like cause live preview images to bedisplayed at the display of the output section 19 by executing livepreview imaging processing and live preview display processing during,and before and after, the execution of imaging processing. Specifically,for example, when an operation mode of the CPU 11 and the like isswitched to an imaging operation mode, an imaging operation by theimaging section 17 is made to continue. Then, while the imagingoperation is being continued by the imaging section 17, the CPU 11 andthe like temporarily memorize captured image data that is sequentiallyoutputted from the imaging section 17 in a memory (in the presentembodiment, the memory section 20). This sequence of control processingis referred to as “live preview imaging processing” herein. The CPU 11and the like also sequentially read the captured image data that hasbeen temporarily recorded in the memory (the memory section 20 in thepresent embodiment) during the live preview imaging processing, andcause the captured images to be sequentially displayed at the outputsection 19. This sequence of control processing is referred to as “livepreview display processing” herein. The captured images displayed at theoutput section 19 by the live preview display processing are referred toherein as “live preview images”. That is, in the live preview displayprocessing, the image acquisition section 41 executes processing up todata of a live preview image that has been temporarily memorized in thememory being acquired and provided to the region type identificationsection 42 and the display control section 48. The display controlsection 48, which is described below, executes processing up to the livepreview image being displayed through the output section 19.

The region type identification section 42 identifies object regions ofone or more types in a live preview image provided by the imageacquisition section 41. The term “object region” as used herein isintended to include a region that shows a characteristic object in alive preview image. Herein, the term “object” is intended to include, aswell as features that are generally in the foreground, backgroundobjects such as sunlight, the sky and the like, and other things thatmay be contrasted with a subject (a feature). In the present embodiment,a variety of regions are employed as types of object region, such as“landscape”, “sky”, “vegetation”, “sunset”, “person”, “night scene”,“backlighting”, “macro”, “action” and so forth. Specifically, the regiontype identification section 42 calculates contrast variations usingcolor information and the like from a live preview image and, on thebasis of the calculation results, identifies regions contained in thelive preview image that represent a person, vegetation and the like asbeing object regions. An object region identification method is notparticularly limited herein. A method of detecting outlines using pixelvalues of the edges of background images and identifying regions withinthe outlines as object regions may be employed. The region typeidentification section 42 provides data of the live preview image andinformation capable of defining the identified object regions in thelive preview image, for example, information including positionalcoordinates of the object regions, to the selected region choosingsection 44.

The input operation receiving section 43 receives, by means of the inputsection 18, an operation of selection of an image region of the livepreview image acquired by the image acquisition section 41.Specifically, when a screen touch operation is performed on a desiredrange (of the touch panel of the input section 18) whose image qualityis to be adjusted in the live preview image displayed at the wholedisplay screen of the output section 19, this range may be selected. Theinput operation receiving section 43 receives the screen touchoperation, recognizes the image region selected by the screen touchoperation, and provides the recognition result to the selected regionchoosing section 44. Although the input operation receiving section 43recognizes the image region from a screen touch operation, this is not alimitation. As another example, an image region may be recognized on thebasis of an operation of selection range specification buttons (notshown) of the input section 18.

On the basis of the image region recognized by the input operationreceiving section 43, the selected region choosing section 44 chooses anobject region selected by the user from the one or more object regionsidentified by the region type identification section 42 to be aprocessing object for image quality processing (hereinafter referred toas the selected region). Specifically, from the one or more objectregions identified by the region type identification section 42, theselected region choosing section 44 chooses an object region thatcontains the image region recognized by the input operation receivingsection 43 to be the selected region. The selected region choosingsection 44 provides information with which the chosen selected regioncan be defined to the image quality processing choosing section 46.

The imaging condition determination section 45 determines conditionsrelating to supplementary conditions and the imaging environment(hereinafter referred to as imaging conditions). Beside theaforementioned “no tripod” condition determined on the basis of blursignals detected by the angular speed sensor 21, a condition of the zoomratio of the imaging section 17 specified by the imaging control section51 being more than a certain value (referred to hereinafter as “highzoom”) may be employed as a supplementary condition. The meaning of theterm “imaging environment” as used herein is intended to include anenvironment as defined from details contained within the imaging angleof the imaging device 1 at a current time. More specifically, theenvironment is defined on the basis of the one or more object regionscontained in the live preview image that are identified by the regiontype identification section 42. In the present embodiment, “landscape”,“landscape+sky”, “landscape+vegetation”, “landscape+sunset”, “person”,“landscape+person”, “night scene”, “night scene+person”,“person+backlighting”, “macro”, “action” and“landscape+sky+vegetation+person+action+backlighting” are employed asimaging environments. The imaging condition determination section 45provides information representing the determined imaging environment tothe image quality processing choosing section 46.

On the basis of the imaging conditions determined by the imagingcondition determination section 45 and the selected region chosen by theselected region choosing section 44, the image quality processingchoosing section 46 chooses one or more candidates for image qualityprocesses to be applied to the live preview image data acquired by theimage acquisition section 41. Specifically, the meaning of the term“selected region” as used herein includes, of the touch panel (the inputsection 18) superimposed on the whole screen of the display (the outputsection 19) at which the live preview image is displayed as describedabove, a screen touch-operated portion of the live preview image thatserves as a desired range to which image quality processing should beapplied. Accordingly, if the selected region is also referred to as the“touched portion” hereinafter, the image quality processing choosingsection 46 chooses image quality processes in accordance with thetouched portion determined by the screen touch operation by the user andthe imaging environment and supplementary conditions determined by theimaging condition determination section 45. The image quality processingchoosing section 46 provides information relating to the chosen imagequality processes (hereinafter referred to as image quality processinginformation) to the image quality processing information presentationsection 47.

More specifically, the image quality processing choosing section 46chooses the image quality processing information in accordance with areference table recorded in the ROM 12, and provides the image qualityprocessing information to the image quality processing informationpresentation section 47. The reference table is described below.

FIG. 3 illustrates a structural example of the reference table memorizedin the ROM 12 of the imaging device of FIG. 1. The reference table is atable representing relationships between combinations of imagingenvironment, touched portion and a supplementary condition (hereinafterreferred to as condition combinations) and combinations of menu items,actual processes and default settings. The structure of the referencetable is not particularly limited provided it represents theserelationships. In the present embodiment, the structure of the referencetable is the array structure illustrated in FIG. 3. A row of thereference table in FIG. 3 stores and relates a single conditioncombination, defined by an imaging environment, a touched portion and asupplementary condition, with a menu item, an actual process and adefault setting that are to be applied with this condition combination.

Specifically, the “menu item” stored in this row is informationrepresenting details of the image quality processing information to beapplied with the condition combination related in this row. This menuitem is content of the image quality processing information that is tobe presented by the image quality processing information presentationsection 47, which is described below.

The “actual processing” stored in this row is information representingdetails of an image quality process to be applied to the conditioncombination related in this row. That is, the actual processingrepresents respective content of image processing that is actuallyexecuted by the image processing section 14, which is described below,and imaging processing that is actually executed by the imaging controlsection 51.

The “default” stored in this row represents a default (initial setting)of whether execution of each image quality process stored in the “actualprocessing” of this row to be applied with the condition combinationrelated in this row is allowed or prohibited. In this case, allowance ofexecution of the image processing is represented by “ON”, andprohibition of execution of the image processing is represented by“OFF”. That is, image processing for which “ON” is set as the default isexecuted unless a user changes the setting to “OFF”. In contrast, imageprocessing for which “OFF” is set as the default is not executed (theexecution is prohibited) unless a user changes the setting to “ON”.

A point to note here is that, as illustrated in FIG. 3, even if the sametouched portion is selected, the menu item(s) (image quality processinginformation) differ(s) depending on the imaging environment and thesupplementary condition. For example, if a “face” is selected as thetouched portion, the menu items (image quality processing information)differ between a case when the imaging environment is “person” and acase when the imaging environment is “person+night scene”. Specifically,if the imaging environment is “person” and the touched portion is“face”, the chosen menu items (image quality processing information) are“Take a clear picture of a person's face”, “Select a moment with openeyes and a smile”, and “Raise ISO sensitivity to prevent blur”. Incontrast, if the imaging environment is “person+night scene” and thetouched portion is “face”, the chosen menu items (image qualityprocessing information) are “Use flash for a bright picture”, “Take aclear picture of a person's face”, and “Suppress shine from a person'sface”.

Types of image quality processing that the actual processing can be arenot particularly limited by the examples disclosed in FIG. 3. In thepresent embodiment, the following types (1) to (10) are employed asimage quality processes that the actual processing may be. Note that thenumbers and types of image quality process that are related with asingle condition combination as the actual processing are notparticularly limited; of the following types (1) to (10), arbitrarynumbers of arbitrary combinations thereof may be related with conditioncombinations.

-   -   (1) Intelligent autofocus (variable control of the focusing        point)    -   (2) Person makeup    -   (3) Landscape makeup (local chroma adjustment)    -   (4) Overall chroma adjustment    -   (5) White balance    -   (6) Intelligent color (local hue adjustment)    -   (7) Adaptive noise reduction    -   (8) Adaptive ISO sensitivity control/shutter speed control    -   (9) Adaptive sharpness    -   (10) Lighting (adaptive gamma curve adjustment)

The image quality processing information presentation section 47presents the image quality processing information chosen by the imagequality processing choosing section 46 to the user. A mode ofpresentation is not particularly limited herein. For example, a mode inwhich the information is presented by sounds may be employed. In thepresent embodiment, however, a mode is employed in which an imagecontaining menu items representing the image quality processinginformation is displayed on the display of the output section 19.Specifically, the image quality processing information presentationsection 47 refers to the reference table in FIG. 3, reads the menu items(image quality processing information) corresponding with thecombination of imaging environment, touched portion and supplementarycondition, and provides the image quality processing information to theimage quality processing information setting section 49 and the displaycontrol section 48.

The display control section 48 displays the image containing the menuitems (image quality processing information) presented by the imagequality processing information presentation section 47 superimposed onthe live preview image provided from the imaging section 17. That is,the display control section 48 causes a superimposed image (hereinafterreferred to as an image quality processing information-superimposedimage) to be displayed at the display of the output section 19. Data ofthis image quality processing information-superimposed image may also beoutputted to unillustrated external equipment by the communicationssection 22. Thus, the image quality processing information-superimposedimage may be displayed at the external equipment, for example, at atelevision set, a personal computer, a projector or the like.

From plural items of image quality processing information (menu items)presented by the image quality processing information presentationsection 47, the image quality processing information setting section 49sets a selected item of image quality processing information as currentsetting information. The image quality processing information settingsection 49 provides the specified image quality processing informationto the imaging control section 51 and the image processing section 14.Details of this setting of the image quality processing information aredescribed below with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6A to FIG. 10C.

The imaging control section 51 executes control of an imaging operationof the imaging section 17 in accordance with the image qualityprocessing information specified by the image quality processinginformation setting section 49.

The image processing section 14 performs image processing in accordancewith the image quality processing information specified by the imagequality processing information setting section 49. Specifically, whenthe image quality processing information is specified by the imagequality processing information setting section 49, the image processingsection 14 acquires data of a captured image that is being displayed asthe live preview image at the moment of this instruction from the memorysection 20. From the data of the captured image (the live previewimage), the image processing section 14 generates data of an imagequality-processed image in accordance with the specified image qualityprocessing information, and memorizes this data to the removable medium31.

Next, the imaging processing that is executed by the imaging device 1 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing aflow of the imaging processing executed by the imaging device 1.

The start of the imaging processing is triggered by the operation modeof the imaging device 1 being switched into the imaging mode by anoperation of the input section 18 by a user. Thereafter, the imagingprocessing is repeatedly executed at intervals of a unit of time. Thatis, the following processing is repeatedly executed, each time the unitof time passes.

In step S11, the display control section 48 starts live preview displayprocessing. Hence, the live preview image is displayed at the display ofthe output section 19. In the present embodiment, when the live previewdisplay processing is begun by the processing of step S11, the livepreview image continues to be displayed at the display of the outputsection 19 thereafter until the imaging processing is ended. When thelive preview image display processing is begun, the region typeidentification section 42 continues to repeatedly, at frame intervals,execute the identification of types of object regions in the data of thelive preview images acquired by the image acquisition section 41.

In step S12, the imaging condition determination section 45 determinesthe current imaging conditions. That is, of the imaging conditions, theimaging condition determination section 45 determines the imagingenvironment on the basis of the object regions of one or more typesidentified by the region type identification section 42. The imagingcondition determination section 45 also determines the supplementaryconditions on the basis of the blur signals from the angular speedsensor 21 and the zoom ratio of the imaging section 17.

In step S13, the imaging control section 51 determines whether or notthe shutter release button of the input section 18 has been pressed. Ifthe shutter release button has not been pressed, the determination instep S13 is “NO”, and the processing proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, the input operation receiving section 43 determines whetheror not a screen touch operation has been performed. If a screen touchoperation has not been performed, the determination in step S14 is “NO”,the processing proceeds to step S12, and the processing thereafter isrepeated. That is, the loop from step S12 to step S14 is repeatedlyexecuted as long as the shutter release button is not operated and thereis no screen touch operation, and the imaging processing is in a standbystate.

Then, when a screen touch operation is performed, the determination instep S14 is “YES”, a range in which the screen touch operation has beenperformed is recognized by the input operation receiving section 43, andthe processing proceeds to step S15. In step S15, of the object regionsof one or more types identified from the live preview image by theregion type identification section 42, the selected region choosingsection 44 chooses, from the processing of step S14, an object regionthat contains the range at which the screen touch operation has beenperformed to be the selected region.

In step S16, on the basis of the imaging conditions determined by theprocessing of step S12 and the selected region identified by theprocessing of step S15, the image quality processing choosing section 46refers to the reference table of FIG. 3 and chooses image qualityprocessing information (menu items).

In step S17, under the control of the image quality processinginformation presentation section 47, the display control section 48displays the image quality processing information (menu items) chosen inthe processing of step S16 at the display of the output section 19.Specifically, the display control section 48 superimposes the imagequality processing information (menu items) on the live preview imageand displays the result as the image quality processinginformation-superimposed image on the display of the output section 19.

In step S18, the input operation receiving section 43 determines whetheror not a screen touch operation has been performed. The screen touchoperation determined in the processing of step S18 differs in meaningfrom the screen touch operation determined in the processing of stepS14. That is, as is described in more detail below with reference to thedrawings from FIG. 6A onward, the meaning of the image qualityprocessing information (menu items) being displayed by the processing ofstep S17 is that one or more types of image quality processinginformation are displayed separated into fields, and whether the imagequality process represented by the image quality processing informationcorresponding to each field will be executed is displayed in the form“ON” or “OFF”. Note that the setting of whether the image qualityprocessing for each field will be executed need not be established atthe point at which the image quality processing information (menu items)is displayed by the processing of step S17.

Hence, by a screen touch operation being performed on, of the displayedimage quality processing information (menu items), a field of the imagequality processing information for which a change of setting is desired,the setting of whether or not the image quality process represented bythat image quality processing information will be executed may bechanged.

Alternatively, if the user judges that there is no problem with thesettings of whether or not the image quality processes corresponding tothe respective fields will be executed in the image quality processinginformation (menu items) as displayed, the user may keep the currentsettings by performing a screen touch operation on a region outside theimage quality processing information (menu items). At this time, thedisplay of the image quality processing information (menu items) isremoved. This screen touch operation that is performed on a regionoutside the image quality processing information (menu items) ishereinafter referred to as a “cancel operation”.

Therefore, in step S18, it is determined whether no screen touchoperation has been performed on any region in the whole screen of thedisplay of the output section 19.

If the input operation receiving section 43 determines that no screentouch operation has been performed thus (“NO” in step S18), theprocessing returns to step S18 again. That is, the determinationprocessing of step S18 is repeatedly executed until a screen touchoperation is performed, and the imaging processing is in the standbystate.

Thereafter, when a screen touch operation is performed by the user in aregion of the image quality processing information-superimposed screen,the determination of step S18 is “YES”, and the processing proceeds tostep S19.

In step S19, the input operation receiving section 43 determines whetheror not the cancel operation has been performed.

Specifically, if a screen touch operation has been performed at a regionother than the image quality processing information (menu items) of theimage quality processing information-superimposed image, a canceloperation has been performed, the determination of step S19 is “YES”,and the display of the image quality processing information (menu items)is removed. Then the processing returns to step S12 and the subsequentprocessing is repeated.

On the other hand, if a screen touch operation has been performed at aregion of the image quality processing information-superimposed imagewithin the image quality processing information (menu items), thedetermination of step S18 is “YES” and the determination of step S19 is“NO”, and the processing proceeds to step S20.

In step S20, of the image quality processing information at which thescreen touch operation has been performed in the processing of step S18,the image processing section 14 toggles the field (setting) between ONand OFF, and sets this as the current image quality processinginformation.

When this processing ends, the display of the image quality processinginformation (menu items) is removed, after which the processing returnsto step S12 and the subsequent processing is repeated.

Thereafter, when the shutter release button is operated, thedetermination in step S13 is “YES” and, in step S21, the imaging controlsection 51 and the image processing section 14 carry out imaging andrecording processing.

The meaning of the term “imaging and recording processing” as usedherein includes a sequence of processing of, in accordance with thespecified image quality processing information, carrying out an imagingoperation with imaging conditions represented by the image qualityprocessing information, applying imaging processing to the resultingcaptured image data with conditions represented by the image qualityprocessing information, up to recording the image-processed capturedimage data in the memory (the removable medium 31 of FIG. 1 or thelike).

When this processing is completed, the imaging processing ends.

If the user operates the shutter release button (“YES” in step S13 ofFIG. 4) without performing any screen touch operations (“NO” in step S14of FIG. 4), the imaging control section 51 and the image processingsection 14 refer to the reference table of FIG. 3, and execute theimaging and recording processing with the default conditions.

Herebelow, the imaging processing is specifically described further withreference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6A to FIG. 10C.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a live preview image that is displayedat the display of the output section 19 when the imaging processingbegins.

When a user operates the input section 18 (FIG. 1) and switches theoperation mode of the imaging device 1 to the imaging mode, the livepreview display processing of step S11 (of FIG. 4) may be started by theimaging device 1. At this time, on the basis of the live preview imagedata acquired from the image acquisition section 41, the region typeidentification section 42 identifies object regions of one or more typesthat are contained in the live preview image.

For the identification of the object regions, each region is identifiedin accordance with brightnesses, hues, chrominances and the like of thelive preview image. Accordingly, the region type identification section42 may identify object regions of various types such as, for example, aperson's face, a person's skin, a dark area, sky, vegetation, a sunset,night darkness and so forth. In the example in FIG. 5, the type ofobject region 121 is identified as vegetation, the type of object region122 is identified as sky, and the type of object region 123 isidentified as a person's skin.

FIG. 6A to FIG. 8C illustrate examples of images that are displayed atthe display of the output section 19 during the imaging processing in asituation in which the imaging environment is “person+backlighting,etc.”, that is, a live preview image containing at least person andbacklighting object regions as the object regions.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, when the current imaging environment isidentified by the imaging condition determination section 45 (step S12in FIG. 4), an imaging environment information box 130 representing theidentified imaging environment is displayed at the bottom of the displayof the output section 19. In the present embodiment, it is identifiedthat the imaging environment is“person+backlighting+sky+vegetation+sunlight”. Therefore,“person+backlighting, etc.”, which is a shortened identification of theimaging environment, is displayed in the imaging environment informationbox 130.

As illustrated in FIG. 6B, if a screen touch operation is performed onthe object region 123 indicating the person's face by a finger 101 ofthe user without the shutter release button of the input section 18being operated (“NO” in step S13 of FIG. 4), the object region 123 ischosen as the selected region (step S15 in FIG. 4). The image qualityprocessing choosing section 46 then refers to the reference table ofFIG. 3, and chooses image quality processing information (menu items) inaccordance with the imaging conditions and the identified selectedregion.

As illustrated in FIG. 6C, the image quality processing informationpresentation section 47 displays image quality processing information(menu items) 132 that has been chosen for the chosen selected region onthe display of the output section 19 (step S17 in FIG. 4).

In the example in FIG. 6C, the face that has been chosen as the selectedregion is indicated by a frame 131, and the image quality processinginformation (menu items) 132 corresponding to this selected region isdisplayed on the display.

That is, in the present example, the image quality processinginformation (menu items) 132 that is displayed is selected by referringto the reference table in FIG. 3 with the imaging environment being“person+backlighting+sky+vegetation+sunlight”, the touched portion being“face”, and supplementary conditions being absent. Thus, the fields(respective items of image quality processing information) “Use flashand correct backlighting”, “Do not use flash and correct backlighting”,“Take a clear picture of a person's face”, and “Select a moment withopen eyes and a smile” are displayed as the image quality processinginformation (menu items) 132.

Then, if, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, a screen touch operation isperformed on the object region 122 indicating the sky by the finger 101of the user without the shutter release button of the input section 18being operated (“NO” in step S13 of FIG. 4), the object region 122 isidentified as the selected region (step S15 in FIG. 4). The imagequality processing choosing section 46 then refers to the referencetable of FIG. 3 and chooses the image quality processing information(menu items) in accordance with the imaging conditions and theidentified selected region.

As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the image quality processing informationpresentation section 47 displays image quality processing information(menu items) 142 that has been chosen for the chosen selected region onthe display of the output section 19 (step S17 in FIG. 4).

In the example in FIG. 7B, the sky that has been chosen as the selectedregion is indicated by a frame 141, and the image quality processinginformation (menu items) 142 corresponding to this selected region isdisplayed on the display.

That is, in the present example, the image quality processinginformation (menu items) 142 that is displayed is selected by referringto the reference table in FIG. 3 with the imaging environment being“person+backlighting+sky+vegetation+sunlight”, the touched portion being“sky”, and supplementary conditions being absent. Thus, the fields(respective items of image quality processing information) “emphasizesky”, “Change sky to strong blues”, and “White balance with tree shade”are displayed as the image quality processing information (menu items)142.

Then, if, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, a screen touch operation isperformed on the object region 121 indicating the vegetation by thefinger 101 of the user without the shutter release button of the inputsection 18 being operated (“NO” in step S13 of FIG. 4), the objectregion 121 is chosen as the selected region (step S15 in FIG. 4). Theimage quality processing choosing section 46 then refers to thereference table of FIG. 3, and chooses the image quality processinginformation (menu items) in accordance with the imaging conditions andthe identified selected region.

As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the image quality processing informationpresentation section 47 displays image quality processing information(menu items) 152 that has been chosen for the chosen selected region onthe display of the output section 19 (step S17 in FIG. 4).

In the example in FIG. 8B, the vegetation that has been chosen as theselected region is indicated by a frame 151, and the image qualityprocessing information (menu items) 152 corresponding to this selectedregion is displayed on the display.

That is, in the present example, the image quality processinginformation (menu items) 152 that is displayed is selected by referringto the reference table in FIG. 3 with the imaging environment being“person+backlighting+sky+vegetation+sunlight”, the touched portion being“vegetation”, and supplementary conditions being absent. Thus, thefields “Set vegetation to lively colors”, “Change vegetation to stronggreens”, and “White balance with tree shade” are displayed as the imagequality processing information (menu items) 152.

FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C illustrate an example of an image that is displayedat the display of the output section 19 during imaging processing in asituation in which the imaging environment is “night scene+person”, thatis, a live preview image containing night scene and person objectregions as the object regions.

As illustrated in FIG. 9A, when the current imaging environment isidentified by the imaging condition determination section 45 (step S12in FIG. 4), an imaging environment information box 160 representing theidentified imaging environment is displayed at the bottom of the displayof the output section 19. In the present embodiment, it is determinedthat the imaging environment is “night scene+person”. Therefore, “nightscene+person”, which is the identification of the imaging environment,is displayed in the imaging environment information box 160.

As illustrated in FIG. 9B, if a screen touch operation is performed onthe object region indicating the person's face without the shutterrelease button of the input section 18 being operated (“NO” in step S13of FIG. 4), that object region is chosen as the selected region (stepS15 in FIG. 4). The image quality processing choosing section 46 thenrefers to the reference table of FIG. 3, and chooses the image qualityprocessing information (menu items) in accordance with the imagingconditions and the identified selected region.

The image quality processing information presentation section 47 thendisplays image quality processing information (menu items) 162 that hasbeen chosen for the chosen selected region on the display of the outputsection 19 (step S17 in FIG. 4).

In the example in FIG. 9B, the face that has been chosen as the selectedregion is indicated by a frame 161, and the image quality processinginformation (menu items) 162 corresponding to this selected region isdisplayed on the display.

That is, in the present example, the image quality processinginformation (menu items) 162 that is displayed is selected by referringto the reference table in FIG. 3 with the imaging environment being“night scene+person”, the touched portion being “face”, andsupplementary conditions being absent. Thus, the fields (respectiveitems of image quality processing information) “Use flash for a brightpicture”, “Take a clear picture of a person's face”, and “Suppress shinefrom a person's face” are displayed as the image quality processinginformation (menu items) 162.

If, as illustrated in FIG. 9C, a screen touch operation is performed onthe object region indicating the night scene that is not the facewithout the shutter release button of the input section 18 beingoperated (“NO” in step S13 of FIG. 4), that object region is chosen asthe selected region (step S15 in FIG. 4). The image quality processingchoosing section 46 then refers to the reference table of FIG. 3, andchooses the image quality processing information (menu items) inaccordance with the imaging conditions and the identified selectedregion.

The image quality processing information presentation section 47 thendisplays image quality processing information (menu items) 172 that hasbeen chosen for the chosen selected region on the display of the outputsection 19 (step S17 in FIG. 4).

In the example in FIG. 9C, the night scene outside the face that hasbeen chosen as the selected region is indicated by a frame 171, and theimage quality processing information (menu items) 172 corresponding tothis selected region is displayed on the display.

That is, in the present example, the image quality processinginformation (menu items) 172 that is displayed is selected by referringto the reference table in FIG. 3 with the imaging environment being“night scene+person”, the touched portion being “night scene outsideface”, and supplementary conditions being absent. Thus, the fields(respective items of image quality processing information) “Raise ISOsensitivity to prevent blur”, “Slow shutter speed for brightbackground”, “Apply weak noise reduction”, and “Apply strong noisereduction” are displayed as the image quality processing information(menu items) 172.

FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C illustrate an example of an image that is displayedat the display of the output section 19 during imaging processing whenthe imaging environment is “person”, that is, a live preview imagecontaining a “person” object region as an object region.

As illustrated in FIG. 10A, when the current imaging environment isidentified by the imaging condition determination section 45 (step S12in FIG. 4), an imaging environment information box 180 representing theidentified imaging environment is displayed at the bottom of the displayof the output section 19. In the present mode, it is identified that theimaging environment is “person”. Therefore, “person”, which is theidentification of the imaging environment, is displayed in the imagingenvironment information box 180.

As illustrated in FIG. 10B, if a screen touch operation is performed onthe object region indicating the person's face without the shutterrelease button of the input section 18 being operated (“NO” in step S13of FIG. 4), that object region is chosen as the selected region (stepS15 in FIG. 4). The image quality processing choosing section 46 thenrefers to the reference table of FIG. 3, and chooses the image qualityprocessing information (menu items) in accordance with the imagingconditions and the identified selected region.

The image quality processing information presentation section 47 thendisplays image quality processing information (menu items) 182 that hasbeen chosen for the chosen selected region on the display of the outputsection 19 (step S17 in FIG. 4).

In the example in FIG. 10B, the face that has been chosen as theselected region is indicated by a frame 181, and the image qualityprocessing information (menu items) 182 corresponding to this selectedregion is displayed on the display.

That is, in the present example, the image quality processinginformation (menu items) 182 that is displayed is selected by referringto the reference table in FIG. 3 with the imaging environment being“person”, the touched portion being “face”, and supplementary conditionsbeing absent. Thus, the fields (respective items of image qualityprocessing information) “Take a clear picture of a person's face”,“Select a moment with open eyes and a smile”, and “Raise ISO sensitivityto prevent blur” are displayed as the image quality processinginformation (menu items) 182.

If, as illustrated in FIG. 10C, a screen touch operation is performed onan object region showing something other than the face without theshutter release button of the input section 18 being operated (“NO” instep S13 of FIG. 4), that object region is chosen as the selected region(step S15 in FIG. 4). The image quality processing choosing section 46then refers to the reference table of FIG. 3, and chooses the imagequality processing information (menu items) in accordance with theimaging conditions and the chosen selected region.

In this case, the image quality processing information presentationsection 47 displays only a frame 191 corresponding with the chosenselected region on the display of the output section 19 (step S17 inFIG. 4).

In the example in FIG. 10C, the region outside the face that has beenchosen as the selected region is indicated by the frame 191. Becausethere is no image quality processing information (menu item)corresponding to this selected region in the reference table of FIG. 3,no image quality processing information (menu item) is displayed.

Thus, even if screen touch operations are performed in the same imagingenvironment, the image quality processing information (menu items) thatis displayed differs in accordance with touched portions.

Moreover, even if screen touch operations are performed on objectregions that each represent the face of a person, the image qualityprocessing information (menu items) that is displayed differs betweenthe mode in FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C and the mode in FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C.That is, the image quality processing information (menu items) that isdisplayed differs in accordance with the imaging environment even thoughtouched portions that are the same are selected.

As described above, the image processing apparatus employed in theimaging device 1 of the present embodiment is equipped with the imageacquisition section 41, the input operation receiving section 43, theimage quality processing choosing section 46 and the image qualityprocessing information presentation section 47.

The image acquisition section 41 acquires data of an image.

The input operation receiving section 43 receives an operation ofselection of an image region from the image data acquired by the imageacquisition section 41.

The image quality processing choosing section 46 chooses image qualityprocess(es) to be applied to the image data acquired by the imageacquisition section 41 in accordance with the image region received bythe input operation receiving section 43.

The image quality processing information presentation section 47presents information relating to the image quality processes chosen bythe image quality processing choosing section 46.

Here, the information of the image quality processes (image qualityprocessing information) may be chosen in accordance with the userselection received by the input operation receiving section 43. Then theinformation of the chosen image quality processes (image qualityprocessing information) is presented. Thus, a user may adjust imagequality in accordance with the user's wide-ranging preferences withoutbeing constrained by image quality processing that is uniformly definedin advance.

The information of image quality processes (image quality processinginformation) is chosen in accordance with a selected range whose imagequality the user wishes to alter. Thus, any user may easily perform theimage quality adjustments they desire just by selecting an image qualityprocess that they are interested in from the information of imagequality processes (image quality processing information) correspondingto the selected range.

Further, the image acquisition section 41 of the image processingapparatus employed at the imaging device 1 of the present embodimentacquires data of an image acquired by the imaging section 17.

The image acquisition section 41 of the image processing apparatusemployed at the imaging device 1 of the present embodiment isfunctionally equipped with the region type identification section 42,the selected region choosing section 44 and the imaging conditiondetermination section 45.

On the basis of the image data acquired by the image acquisition section41, the region type identification section 42 identifies object regionsof one or more types that are contained in the image.

Of the object regions of one or more types identified by the region typeidentification section 42, the selected region choosing section 44chooses an object region that contains an image region received by theinput operation receiving section 43 as the selected region.

On the basis of the object regions of one or more types identified bythe region type identification section 42, the imaging conditiondetermination section 45 determines imaging conditions, including theimaging environment of the imaging section 17 when imaging the image.

Then, in accordance with the selected region chosen by the selectedregion choosing section 44 and the imaging environment determined by theimaging condition determination section 45, the image quality processingchoosing section 46 chooses image quality processes to be applied to theimage data acquired by the image acquisition section 41.

Here, the information of the image quality processes is chosen inaccordance with both the selected region chosen on the basis of the userselection received by the input operation receiving section 43 and theimaging conditions including the imaging environment. Therefore, thechoice of information of image quality processes is more reliable. Thus,any user may easily perform the image quality adjustments they desirejust by selecting an image quality process that they are interested infrom information of image quality processes that have been reliablyidentified and chosen.

The imaging condition determination section 45 of the image processingapparatus employed at the imaging device 1 of the present embodimentdetermines both the imaging environment and supplementary conditions.Here, the information of the image quality processes is chosen inaccordance with imaging conditions including the supplementaryconditions as well as the imaging environment. Therefore, the choice ofinformation of image quality processes is more reliable. Thus, any usermay easily perform the image quality adjustments they desire just byselecting an image quality process that they are interested in from theinformation of image quality processes that have been reliablyidentified and chosen.

The imaging condition determination section 45 of the image processingapparatus employed at the imaging device 1 of the present embodimentalso determines supplementary conditions in accordance with imagingconditions including a blur signal sent from the angular speed sensor 21at the time of imaging. Here, because a supplementary condition isdetermined on the basis of the blur signal, the choice of information ofimage quality processes is more reliable. Thus, any user may easilyperform the image quality adjustments they desire just by selecting animage quality process that they are interested in from the informationof image quality processes that have been reliably identified andchosen.

The imaging condition determination section 45 of the image processingapparatus employed at the imaging device 1 of the present embodimentalso determines a supplementary condition in accordance with the zoomratio of the imaging section 17. Here, because the supplementarycondition is identified on the basis of the zoom ratio, the choice ofinformation of image quality processes is more reliable. Thus, any usermay easily perform the image quality adjustments they desire just byselecting an image quality process that they are interested in from theinformation of image quality processes that have been reliablyidentified and chosen.

The image processing apparatus employed at the imaging device 1 of thepresent embodiment is further provided with the image quality processinginformation setting section 49 that, of the information presented by theimage quality processing information presentation section 47, setsinformation selected on the basis of a selection operation received bythe input operation receiving section 43 as current information. Here,the image quality processing information setting section 49 may makesettings of information of image quality processes (image qualityprocessing information) on the basis of user selections received by theinput operation receiving section 43. Hence, image quality processing iscarried out in accordance with the specified information of imagequality processes (image quality processing information). Thus, a usermay perform image quality processing in accordance with the user'swide-ranging preferences without being constrained by image qualityprocessing that is uniformly defined in advance.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above;the present invention encompasses modifications and improvements withina scope in which the objectives of the present invention may beachieved.

In the above embodiment, a supplementary condition is determined inaccordance with the zoom ratio, but this is not limiting. For example, asupplementary condition may be determined on the basis of an aperturefor adjusting amounts of light that are incident on the imaging section17.

The image processing apparatus of the present embodiment is employed atthe imaging device 1, but this is not a limitation. The image processingapparatus may be employed at any kind of terminal provided the terminalmay carry out image processing that includes image quality processing.

In the embodiment described above, a digital camera is described as anexample of the present invention, but this is not a particularlimitation. For example, the present invention may be generally appliedto electronic devices with imaging functions. Specifically, the presentinvention is applicable to, for example, notebook computers, printers,television sets, video cameras, portable navigation devices, portabletelephones, portable video game machines and so forth.

The sequence of processing described above may be executed by hardwareand may be executed by software. That is, the functional structure inFIG. 2 is merely an example and is not particularly limiting. In otherwords, it is sufficient that a function capable of executing the wholeof the above-described sequence of processing is provided at the imagingdevice 1; the kinds of functional blocks to be used for executing thisfunction are not particularly limited by the example in FIG. 2. Anindividual functional block may be constituted by a hardware unit, maybe constituted by a software unit, and may be constituted by acombination thereof.

If the sequence of processing is executed by software, a programconstituting the software is installed on a computer or the like from anetwork, a recordable medium or the like. The computer may be a computerincorporating dedicated hardware. Further, the computer may be acomputer that is capable of installing various programs and executingvarious functions; for example, it may be a general purpose personalcomputer.

A recordable medium storing the program may be constituted by theremovable medium 31 of FIG. 1, which is distributed separately from themain body of the device for provision of the program to users, and maybe constituted by a recordable medium or the like that is provided tousers in a state of being pre-incorporated in the device main body. Theremovable medium 31 is constituted by, for example, a magnetic disc(such as a floppy disk), an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc or thelike. An optical disc is constituted by, for example, a CD-ROM (CompactDisc Read-only memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or the like. Amagneto-optical disc is constituted by a MiniDisc (MD) or the like. Arecording medium on which the data is provided to the user in a state ofbeing pre-incorporated in the device main body is constituted by, forexample, the ROM 12 of FIG. 1 in which a program is stored, a hard discincluded in the memory section 20 of FIG. 1, or the like.

Obviously, processing in which the steps describing the program storedin the recording medium are carried out chronologically in the describedorder is encompassed by the present specification. Processing that isnot necessarily carried out chronologically but in which the steps areexecuted in parallel or separately is also to be encompassed. Moreover,the term “system” as used in the present specification is intended toinclude the whole of equipment constituted by plural devices, pluralmeans and the like.

The preferable embodiment of the present invention described in detailabove is merely an example and does not limit the technical scope of theinvention. The present invention may be attained by numerous otherembodiments, and numerous modifications such as omissions, substitutionsand the like are possible within a technical scope not departing fromthe spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are tobe encompassed by the scope and spirit of the invention described in thepresent specification and the like, and are to be encompassed by theinventions recited in the attached claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: anacquiring unit that acquires data of an image; a receiving unit thatreceives an operation of selection of a region in the image acquired bythe acquiring unit; an image quality processing choosing unit that, inaccordance with the image at the region selected by the selectionoperation, chooses image quality processing to be applied to the imagedata acquired by the acquiring unit; and a presenting unit that presentsinformation relating to the image quality processing chosen by the imagequality processing choosing unit, wherein the acquiring unit acquiresimage data acquired by an imaging unit, wherein the image processingapparatus further comprises: an identifying unit that, based on theimage data acquired by the acquiring unit, identifies object regions ofone or more types contained in the image; a selected region choosingunit that, of the object regions of one or more types identified by theidentifying unit, chooses an object region containing the regionselected by the selection operation as a selected region; and adetermining unit that, based on the object regions of one or more typesidentified by the identifying unit, determines an imaging condition,including an imaging environment of the imaging unit when imaging theimage, and wherein the image quality processing choosing unit choosesthe image quality processing to be applied to the image data acquired bythe acquiring unit in accordance with the selected region chosen by theselected region choosing unit and the imaging condition determined bythe determining unit.
 2. The image processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the determining unit determines both the imagingenvironment and a supplementary condition.
 3. The image processingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determining unit determinesthe supplementary condition in accordance with an imaging condition thatincludes a blur signal sent from an angular speed sensor at a time ofimaging.
 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, whereinthe determining unit determines the supplementary condition inaccordance with a zoom ratio of the imaging unit.
 5. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an imagequality processing information setting unit that, of the informationpresented by the presenting unit, sets information selected based on aselection operation as current information.
 6. An image processingmethod to be executed by an image processing apparatus that acquires animage by imaging, the method comprising: acquiring data of the imageacquired by the imaging; receiving an operation of selection of a regionin the acquired image data; choosing, in accordance with the image atthe region selected by the selection operation, image quality processingto be applied to the acquired image data; and presenting informationrelating to the image quality processing, identifying, based on theacquired image data, object regions of one or more types contained inthe image; choosing, of the identified object regions of one or moretypes, an object region containing the region selected by the selectionoperation as a selected region; and determining, based on the identifiedobject regions of one or more types, an imaging condition, including animaging environment of the imaging, wherein the choosing of the imagequality processing to be applied to the acquired image data is performedin accordance with the chosen selected region and the determined imagingcondition.
 7. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium havingstored therein a program executable by a computer that controls an imageprocessing apparatus that acquires an image by imaging, to cause thecomputer to control the image processing apparatus to perform functionscomprising: acquiring data of the image acquired by the imaging;receiving an operation of selection of a region in the acquired imagedata; choosing, in accordance with the image at the region selected bythe selection operation, image quality processing to be applied to theacquired image data; and presenting information relating to the imagequality processing, identifying, based on the acquired image data,object regions of one or more types contained in the image; choosing, ofthe identified object regions of one or more types, an object regioncontaining the region selected by the selection operation as a selectedregion; and determining, based on the identified object regions of oneor more types, an imaging condition, including an imaging environment ofthe imaging, wherein the choosing of the image quality processing to beapplied to the acquired image data is performed in accordance with thechosen selected region and the determined imaging condition.